Title of Regulation: 11VAC10-110. Entries (amending 11VAC10-110-90).

Statutory Authority: § 59.1-369 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: July 27, 2020.

Agency Contact: Kimberly Mackey, Regulatory Coordinator, Virginia Racing Commission, 5707 Huntsman Road, Suite 201-B, Richmond, VA 23250, telephone (804) 966-7406, or email kimberly.mackey@vrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments allow horses trained and owned by the same person to run as two separate betting interests.

11VAC10-110-90. Coupling.

All horses entered in the same race and owned wholly or partially by the same owner or spouse shall be joined as a mutuel entry and shall constitute a single wagering interest, except as provided for in subdivision 7 of this section. No trainer shall enter more than two horses in an overnight race. The following provisions shall apply to mutuel entries:

1. The racing secretary shall be responsible for coupling entries for wagering purposes;

2. No more than two horses having common ties through ownership, which would result in a mutuel entry and a single wagering interest, may be entered in an overnight race;

3. When two horses having common ties through ownership are entered in an overnight race, preference shall be given to the horse with the earliest preference date or the most stars;

4. 1. Two horses having common ties through ownership shall not start as a mutuel entry in an overnight race to the exclusion of another horse; and

5. 2. The racing secretary shall be responsible for assigning horses to the mutuel field when the number of wagering interests exceeds the numbering capacity of the infield tote board;.

6. In an overnight race, the racing secretary may uncouple entries having common ties through training; and

7. In any thoroughbred stakes race with added or guaranteed money of $50,000 or more, the racing secretary may uncouple mutuel entries of horses sharing common ties through training or ownership or both.